Saturday, November 8, 2008

FRIDAY. AUGUST 22-AFTER SOME FRANTIC LAST MINUTE THURSDAY NIGHT PHONE CALLS TO THEIR SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS HOTEL, RUDY & I MET THE 48 IN 08 T-BIRD CARAVAN AT THE 1-39 AND RTE. 34 INTERCHANGE AT MENDOTA, ILLINOIS. THE THREE LITTLE BIRDS AND OUR '02 RETRO BIRD CONTINUED ABOUT 25 MILES FURTHER AND CONNECTED WITH BERT & JANE EISENHOUR AT THE 1-88 & 1-39 INTERCHANGE. OUR NEXT STOP WAS THE ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS COLLEGE. THIS WAS LUCY CLARK'S (AN ORIGINAL 48 IN 08 TRAVELER) ALMA MATER. AFTER A GREAT LUNCH BUFFET IN THE BEAUTIFUL COLLEGE CAFETERIA, COURTESY OF THE COLLEGE, WE CONTINUED ON OUR WAY TO WISCONSIN, MINUS JANE & BERT WHO HAD OTHER PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. WE ARRIVED MID-AFTERNOON TO A SEA OF BEAUTIFUL T-BIRDS AND GOT RE-ACQUAINTED WITH PEOPLE WE HADNT SEEN IN THIRTY PLUS YEARS.

SATURDAY. AUGUST 23 -

A LIGHT OVERNIGHT RAIN DIDNT DAMPEN SPIRITS FOR THE USUAL SATURDAY A.M. CLEANING SESSIONS. POPULAR CHOICE JUDGING OF SOME 40 PLUS T-BIRDS TOOK PLACE UNDER BLUE SKIES AND TEMPERATURES IN THE 80'S. AFTER AN AFTERNOON BREWERY TOUR, THE 48 IN 08 TRAVELERS DROVE TO THE STATE CAPITOL FOR PICTURE TAKING, ALONG WITH AN EXTRA 'BIRD OR TWO. THE EVENING BANQUET WAS FOLLOWED BY THE AWARDING OF TROPHIES AND GREAT DOOR-PRIZES AND RAFFLES.

SUNDAY. AUGUST 24 -

WE PACKED UP AND SAID OUR GOOD BYES. NEXT YEAR, BIRDS IN THE DELLS WILL BE IN DOOR COUNTY. WE HOPE TO BE THERE. ON OUR WAY HOME WE STOPPED AT THE POPLAR GROVE AIRPORT AT THE INVITATION OF POLLY & KEN KRESMERY FOR THEIR 13TH ANNUAL "DAY AT THE HANGAR." WHAT AN AMAZING COLLECTION: ANTIQUE CARS, COLLECTOR CARS, INCLUDING A '57 T-BIRD, ANTIQUE AND RESTORED PLANES, INCLUDING A 4-PLACE "SEA-BEE" WHICH LANDS ON WATER OR THE GROUND. IN OUR OPINION, THE GEM IN HIS COLLECTION IS A 2008 "SMART CABRIOLET" MADE BY MERCEDES IN FRANCE IT IS A 2-PASSENGER CONVERTIBLE, 8-FOOT LONG THAT GETS 41 MILES TO THE GALLON FROM A 3-CYLINDER ENGINE AND HAS ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM MERCEDES AND THEN SOME. AFTER PASSING ALL THE U.S. CRASH TEST REQUIREMENTS, THERE IS A 2-YEAR WAITING LIST TO PURCHASE ONE. WHAT A CONCEPT! DETROIT: PAY ATTENTION. WE DROVE IT UP AND DOWN THE RUNWAYS AND IT WAS QUIET AND COMFORTABLE. AFTER LEAVING WITH A HANDFULL OF FRESH PICKED CORN, COURTESY OF THE KRESMERYS, WE ARRIVED HOME ABOUT 2P.M.-JANET BUDACH

In August, I met with the Mexican Thunderbird Club in Mexico City, and thoroughly enjoyed my time with these enthusiastic T-Bird owners. Their cars were mostly assembled at the Ford Mexico plant for all three years, and to authenticate this, each Mexican assembled T- Bird carries a brass plate that it stamped with some information about the car, but does not indicate what color the car was originally. The brass plate is affixed to the right doorpost below where the striker plate to located.

Each Mexican car also has a decal indicating it was assembled in Mexico and [it] was placed on windshields and rear windows at the factory. It was interesting to me to see one with the decal on the hard top rear-glass, as the entire hardtop can easily be switched to another car.

To the best of our knowledge. all Mexican assembled T-Birds from '55-'57 have the following prefix. P5MEXH, P6MEXH and D7MEXH or EMEXH [for the many "E' birds assembled there).In one of the photos there is an off white "E" 'Bird that was originally owned by Gustavo Diaz Oraz, Presidente of Mexico from "64 to "70. [Presidents of Mexico can only serve for one-six year term.] It seems that this car fell into disrepair until purchased by my host and currant owner, Gerando Hernandez, who completely restored it.

Another un-restored black '57 was owned by Vincent Minnelli, father of Liza Minnelli, and fully documented. You can see part of this black 'Bird in some of the photos.

Gerardo drove me as the lead car in the T-Bird caravan through the streets of Mexico City (something I wouldn't do with a 25 year old "beater") with people taking pictures, including one that appeared in the Mexico City newspaper.

They have about 50 members in their club and are very active on a monthly basis. In October they participate in the Baia race [actually a rallye from Tijuana - nearly 2000 miles - much like the "Great Race" is in the US].

It was great to meet them, and they looked forward to my visit - as well as the "gringo from the north." Nice people, enjoying their Thunderbirds, never passing a restaurant, telling stories and kicking tires ... just like most T-Birders.

It typically costs 30% more to restore a Concours 'Bird in Mexico because of the very high import tax on parts. They are, however, very solid, good-looking cars as there is no snow to deal with in Mexico City.

We pledged that we would continue our cross border friendship and [we] plan on a get together somewhere at some time. Thought you would enjoy and could use [this] in the newsletter at some point.- Perry Anthony

On Sunday, September 21st the Chicagoland Thunderbird Club held a Car Show at the A&W/KFC in Lombard. It was a perfect day with a couple dozen Thunderbirds of all years on display. There were many spectators who were browsing around, asking questions and just admiring all the cars. Art and Gail Hascek, with the help of Laura Hascek and Mike Cielenski, had their 2005 Thunderbird and 1957 Thunderbird on display. Many came by the 1957 T-Bird and asked Art many questions, and they were in awe that he was 92 and has had the car since 1957. This was Dad's first car show and he was excited to talk to everyone about his cars. More cars showed up towards the end of the day, due to them showing at the Cantigny Show, one of whom was Club member Pete Kramer. The show drew to a close with the raffle drawings in which Gail Hascek won twice. Lucky Girl... Then the big announcement: Art & Gail Hascek had won First Place for their 1957 T-Bird! There were a few damp eyes when Art went up and accepted the trophy. On the way home, as I followed in the '05 Bird, I could see Dad ahead, holding the trophy in his lap. It was a proud moment for all of us. He is still in shock; we all are so happy for him. As I stated above, it was a perfect day!- Laura Hascek

THE 4th EDITION OF THE GENEVA , IL Show turned out to be the biggest and best ot all! Blessed with excellent weather, the event ran from August 22nd - 24th, with the Concours on Sunday.

In commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the New York to Paris Great Race, the Guest-of-Honor was Jeff Mahl, the great grandson of the winning driver, George N. Schuster. George drove the 1907 Thomas Flyer into Paris, after 169 days and some 22,000 miles of travel by land and sea!

It was my privilege to be assigned as Jeff's T-Bird chauffer and guide during his visit. Jeff presented his unique program, recreating the 1908 Race as related by his great grandfather. Adopting the part in the first person, Jeff's two presentations -on Saturday and Sunday - chronicled the hardships of the Race with a most impressive series of photos projected on a large screen.

Saturday featured a 1-hour back-roads ("E"-Bird) tour to visit the fabulous car collection at the Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove. Among the countless exotics, we spotted our favorite, a Goldenrod Yellow 1955 T-Bird!

CTCC members in the Show with their T-Birds were: Larry Johnson, Lorry Kelly, Pete Kramer and Bob Lindsten. Congratulations to Bob Lindsten who captured a Trophy with his '56 'Bird!